Tanzania Wants To Reduce Illegal Deep Sea Tuna Fishing ff

From Tanzania Daily News

The government is in the final stage of preparing rules and regulations of the Deep Sea Fishing Authority Act. If later passed in parliament, the legislation will play a major role in combating illegal fishing along the Lake Victoria and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the country.

The minister for Livestock Development and Fisheries Mr. John Magufuli said last week that the President has already assented to the Act. “My ministry and other relevant authorities in both the Mainland and Isles are putting final touches on the proposal that will ensure effective implementation of the new act,” he said.

Mr. Magufuli stated that the act would among other things, impose stringent measures against owners of ships and other water vessels involved in illegal fishing in the country.

The new Act will oblige vessels to report to specific centers such as Tanga, Dar es Salaam and Mtwara ports, to strictly contain all forms and manifestations of illegal fishing.

The minister reiterated that illegal fishing had inflicted heavy loss to the country's national economy, including loss of revenue and continuous depletion of fish stock in Lake Victoria and other affected areas in the country. Mr. Magufuli said his ministry had recently discovered that some of the ships that were involved in illegal fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) have been dumping almost 90 per cent of the fish stock that were not targeted before.

Last year, the government cancelled fishing licenses for all 69 vessels that were operating in the country's deep seawaters, and directed them to apply afresh for new licenses. Most of the vessels were from Europe, Japan and far-east countries. Local experts say illegal fishing such as dynamite fishing costs the country about 100bn/- in loss in revenue annually. Over 70 ships are said to be operating illegally, targeting tuna, kingfish, lobsters and prawns.

Meanwhile, Minister Magufuli said that three countries namely- Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have jointly signed an agreement to fight illegal fishing across the East African region. The minister said that all standard operating procedures, code of practices and fish inspector guide had already been prepared and implementation of the joint plan was expected to take off shortly.